The Idaho Oneida County's News Since 1879 Malad City, Idaho
May 21, 2026 | Vol. 146 No. 21
$1.50
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ebola in the news again
While Farm Bureau expected a good turnout, the power outage made it even bigger! Lexie Evans, Nancy Asay, Brody Weeks, and Kevin Degn.
“Thank a Farmer” times it perfectly! With some notable exceptions (City Council comes to mind), a large number of Oneida County residents spent last Wednesday evening at the Event Center, which happened to be one of the only places in town with electricity. A power outage, reportedly the result of a power line downed by a vehicle, lasted several hours starting the early afternoon until power was restored around 8:00 p.m. The “Thank a Farmer” event, put on by the Farm Bureau, was intended as an event to thank the community for its support and to support the community with its thanks, but turned into the place to be as everywhere else was out of ways to cook dinner. The Event Center is a designated emergency shelter for the county, and had already demonstrated its effectiveness to that end when a sustained power outage affected the valley during a much colder night several months ago. At that time, the Event Center was opened for those who needed it, most of whom availed themselves of outlets to charge communication devices. This time, hundreds of people filled the tables around the event center as members of the Farm Bureau grilled up food as long as supplies lasted, which carried through until the power
came back on. Food was prepared by the Farm Bureau members, and managed to feed a large number of county residents who were unsure how long the power would be affected. The outage was briefer than the winter event, with response teams on the way very quickly after the outage began. No injuries or other incidents were reported as a result of the lack of power, which thankfully returned before dark. The City Council meeting that is regularly scheduled from the second Wednesday of the month proceeded apace, with some of the meeting conducted with the aid of a portable lantern, indicating the emergency preparedness of the city administration itself, which is rumored to include several Boy Scouts. Over the last several years, emergency preparedness funds dispersed during the COVID era, as well as other grants and funding sources, have been utilized to add to the Event Center’s ability to function as a community gathering place and emergency shelter. The generator setup that allows power for light, heat, and electrical devices is one of the results of those funds, and was in full use during the event, which had been originally planned as an outdoor event at the
Air Show Collision near Mountain Home
Farm Bureau member Dave Colton
City Park. The Park is a hub for construction related to the Bannock Street project at the moment. While the confluence of events was a surprising coincidence, it certainly made the case that a strong community is ready to take on emergencies together, and that when things get a bit more difficult it’s always good to know that you can count on your friends and neighbors to have your back.
“A Weekend for the Books!” Dragons roar at state, bring home trophies It was a weekend for the books for every Malad Dragon fan. With athletes competing in the state softball, baseball, and track, Dragon determination, discipline and drive was on full display. Playing in northern Idaho, the Lady Dragon softball team went two and two to earn a fourth place finish. Coach Bri Adams couldn’t speak enough of the resiliency her team had learned throughout the season, a lesson they were taught again on the softball field as they played for the last time this season. The Dragon baseball team played took the field in Caldwell as the #1 seed, finishing as state runner-up. While the tournament ended in a loss, Coach Chad Maroney emphasized several strong highlights from the season and postseason run. Easton Green provided a steady spark for the Dragons all year, while senior Kurt Ward closed his
final season with 11 pitching starts and key wins, including an important opening victory over Salmon at state. Defensively, Malad’s outfield stood out with its speed, range, and strong arms that consistently limited extra bases. Coach Maroney expressed pride in the team’s effort, growth, and achievement in returning to the championship game. The MHS track and field team returned to the Middleton track with 29 athletes, more than half of them competing in multiple events. Over the two day championship meet, Malad’s competitors rose to the top as some of the best in the state. The boys team tallied an impressive 80.5 points to secure a second place title with the girls team placing fourth with 54.5 points. This feat wasn’t accomplished by just a few medal finishes, but by nearly each MHS athlete adding points to the team’s score. The
team’s results were full of not only medaling finishes but multiple personal bests, showcasing the results of their continued hard work and commitment over the course of the season. Among the crowned individual state champions were a number of Malad winners, including Bostyn Burbidge, Braun Nalder, Brielle Bastian, and Kaycee Venable. Their stand out performances played a crucial part in the team’s ultimate achievement. While these performances showcase the talent of the many MHS athletes, it more importantly demonstrates the lengths these athletes will go in an attempt to reach the potential within, a lesson that will carry them through their entire lives. An in-depth look at the Dragons at their respective state tournaments starts on page 11.
INSIDE THE ENTERPRISE FFA......................................................Pg. 2 Museum Opening................................Pg. 3 Puzzles................................................Pg. 6
An Ebola outbreak is currently centered in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring Uganda and involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, which has no approved vaccine or specific treatment. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern” after reports of more than 300 suspected cases and roughly 80–90 deaths. Cases have been concentrated in conflict-affected areas of eastern Congo, where insecurity and population movement have complicated containment efforts. Uganda has confirmed imported cases linked to travel from Congo. Health officials are focusing on isolation, contact tracing, border screening, and supportive medical care to slow transmission. The U.S. CDC has activated emergency response measures and is monitoring several Americans potentially exposed in the region, though officials say the overall risk to the U.S. public remains low.
Looking Back.......................................Pg. 7 Seniors................................................Pg. 9 Sports..........................................Pgs. 11-12
A the midair collision involving two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler jets during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show near Mountain Home Air Force Base on Sunday. Witnesses reported seeing parachutes deploy after the aircraft collided, and the four crew members successfully ejected before the planes crashed. Emergency responders quickly secured the area, and the remainder of the air show was canceled while federal authorities and military investigators began examining the cause of the accident. A video taken by a spectator shows the two aircraft appear to make contact and then spin in tandem as the crew members eject and their parachutes open. The planes then fall together, exploding into a fireball upon impact as the crew members drop to the ground nearby.The dramatic footage circulated widely online and drew national attention because of the rarity of such incidents during a public demonstration event. No one on site was injured as a result of the incident.
Memorial Day Schedule Malad's annual Memorial Day events will take place at the City Cemetery on Monday, May 25 at 11:00 a.m. The featured speaker will be Mark Howard. Earlier in the day, the American Legion Post 65 will be visiting other local cemeteries to provide three volley salutes: Snowville @ 9am, Holbrook @ 9:30 am, St. John @ 10:15 am, Pleasantview @ 12:15 pm, Samaria @ 12:30, Portage @ 1:15 pm, Washakie @ 1:30 pm, and Cherry Creek @ 2:15 pm. The Memorial Day breakfast will be held at the City Park in Malad from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The breakfast is $10. All members of the Post are invited to participate in the services, and all county residents are encouraged to attend the services.